Takouba, what are the chances.

kino · 15th December 2008, 11:38 PM

I recently sold a Takouba, the person I acquired it from told me a Peace Corps worker collected it from a trip to Nigeria 30 yrs ago. I didn't pay much heed to the story, it seemed like the sword was made around 5 yrs ago. . A few days later another Takouba came my way. This second one is well made to my eyes, although I know nothing about these swords. The previous owner of the second one told me that his sister brought it back from Niger. The fittings look newer than the blade. Any ideas on the age of the blade?

First photo is the sword that I sold.

katana · 15th December 2008, 11:50 PM

Hi Kino,
thats a really nice Takouba

The hilt, although probably very recent, is much better quality than on many Takouba made mid 20 th C onwards (I really like it

) The blade seems older ....possibly late 19th C - early 20th ( others could give you a more accurate age)

It is very common for older blades to be re-hilted...sometimes the blades are over-cleaned (to make them look newer) so all the patina is lost.(It seems it's just 'us' that like our blades old and rusty

)

Regards David

Jim McDougall · 15th December 2008, 11:55 PM

Sometimes the best thing about collecting weapons is the colorful stories that accompany them! The takouba is a traditional weapon still very much part of the costume of the Tuaregs throughout Saharan regions, and often the rough pitting seen on the sometimes roughly sharpened blades imply that they are older than they really are. These blades are remounted many times during thier working life, so newer mounts, such as seen here are not at all uncommon. The blade, with very clearly stamped dukari (the crescent moons) is probably 20th century, and the mounts similar to styling seen from Agadez, Niger (Central form). Its hard to say on blade age, as noted.

All best regards,
Jim

Bill M · 16th December 2008, 01:08 PM

I like it! = I'd have bought it, also.

BTW Your photography skills are really improved! Very nice pictures!

Robert · 16th December 2008, 02:28 PM

Is it just me or does this (except for the fuller) look amazingly like the Vikingsword Logo at the top of the web page?

Robert

Lee · 16th December 2008, 07:06 PM

Essentially a 19th (or even possibly 18th century) trade blade of European origin, remounted in the late 20th century, almost surely in the last 20 years and likely in or near Agadez, Niger.

The sword is not quite dead in the Tuareg culture, so the really good blades are often first in line to get dressy new hilts, as is the case with your recent acquisition. This makes it hard to work out evolution and localization of the hilt forms.

The sword in the logo above incorporates an even earlier blade, remounted within the past decade.

kino · 17th December 2008, 01:50 AM

Thanks for the information and compliments.

I've looked at this site numerous times, but I just noticed the Takouba on top of the page. Robert, thanks for pointing it out.

Bill, photography skills?. you're too kind.

spiral · 18th December 2008, 08:34 PM

Great piece! The ropes a bit to modern for my eye, but even though the fittings are new it looks brilliant! Great to have one with an old blade!

Spiral

15th December 2008, 11:38 PM	#1
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 973	Takouba, what are the chances. I recently sold a Takouba, the person I acquired it from told me a Peace Corps worker collected it from a trip to Nigeria 30 yrs ago. I didn't pay much heed to the story, it seemed like the sword was made around 5 yrs ago. . A few days later another Takouba came my way. This second one is well made to my eyes, although I know nothing about these swords. The previous owner of the second one told me that his sister brought it back from Niger. The fittings look newer than the blade. Any ideas on the age of the blade? First photo is the sword that I sold. Attached Images Last edited by kino; 16th December 2008 at 12:02 AM.

16th December 2008, 07:06 PM	#6
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 891	Very nice sword, worthy of coveting Essentially a 19th (or even possibly 18th century) trade blade of European origin, remounted in the late 20th century, almost surely in the last 20 years and likely in or near Agadez, Niger. The sword is not quite dead in the Tuareg culture, so the really good blades are often first in line to get dressy new hilts, as is the case with your recent acquisition. This makes it hard to work out evolution and localization of the hilt forms. The sword in the logo above incorporates an even earlier blade, remounted within the past decade.

15th December 2008, 11:50 PM	#2
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Hi Kino, thats a really nice Takouba The hilt, although probably very recent, is much better quality than on many Takouba made mid 20 th C onwards (I really like it ) The blade seems older ....possibly late 19th C - early 20th ( others could give you a more accurate age) It is very common for older blades to be re-hilted...sometimes the blades are over-cleaned (to make them look newer) so all the patina is lost.(It seems it's just 'us' that like our blades old and rusty ) Regards David

15th December 2008, 11:55 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,745	Sometimes the best thing about collecting weapons is the colorful stories that accompany them! The takouba is a traditional weapon still very much part of the costume of the Tuaregs throughout Saharan regions, and often the rough pitting seen on the sometimes roughly sharpened blades imply that they are older than they really are. These blades are remounted many times during thier working life, so newer mounts, such as seen here are not at all uncommon. The blade, with very clearly stamped dukari (the crescent moons) is probably 20th century, and the mounts similar to styling seen from Agadez, Niger (Central form). Its hard to say on blade age, as noted. All best regards, Jim

16th December 2008, 01:08 PM	#4
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	I like it! = I'd have bought it, also. BTW Your photography skills are really improved! Very nice pictures!

16th December 2008, 02:28 PM	#5
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Is it just me or does this (except for the fuller) look amazingly like the Vikingsword Logo at the top of the web page? Robert

17th December 2008, 01:50 AM	#7
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 973	Thanks for the information and compliments. I've looked at this site numerous times, but I just noticed the Takouba on top of the page. Robert, thanks for pointing it out. Bill, photography skills?. you're too kind.

18th December 2008, 08:34 PM	#8
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Great piece! The ropes a bit to modern for my eye, but even though the fittings are new it looks brilliant! Great to have one with an old blade! Spiral